Measuring container for liquids



Oct. 10, 1939. F. R. WALROD MEASURING CONTAINER FOR LIQUIDS Filed Feb. 7, 1938 INVENTOR. I Wed 4. Wd/flad BY 2 g z E g I ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Fred R. Walrod,

Kansas City, Mo.

Application February 7, 1938,v Serial No. 189,227

4 (llaims.

This invention relates to receptacles and especially to containers for liquids, such as motor oil, the use of which normally requires that a measured amount be taken from the receptacle, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a measuring container for liquids which has as a part thereof, a compartment that holds a definite amount of liquid, such as a pint, quart, gallon or fractions thereof.

One of the important aims of this invention is the provision of a measuring container for liquids that may be carried by the motorist, as an eX- ample, and used by him in measuring for use, a predetermined amount of oil, which predetermined amount may be emptied directly from the container without the use of separate utensils or measures.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the aforementioned character that is so formed as to be economically manufactured, efficient in use and refillable from time to time, so that the container may be carried in the motor car and filled as desired without destroying its efiiciency as a definite measuring container.

More specifically, an object of this invention is to provide a measuring container for liquids wherein is embodied a novel and unique valve structure for periodically establishing communication between the measuring compartment and reservoir of the container; a specially disposed discharge tube which is completely confined within the walls of the container; and a specially created partition which cooperates with both the aforementioned valve structure and discharge tube in a manner as to utilize all of the liquid in the reservoir portion of the container, and to insure emptying all of the liquid in the measuring compartment of the container through the discharge tube when a measured amount of liquid is being taken from the container.

The aforementioned broad objects of this invention together with the more specific features contemplated, will be made clear during the course of the following specification referring to one physical embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a measuring container for liquids, which embodies this invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view through the A container embodying all of the features of A so that the outer appearance of the device specially made to include this invention, vn'll not present an appearance different from the ordinary oil can which is now carried by motorists to provide a reserve supply of oil.

The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a container 4 having a bottom 6, sides 8, and a top I0, wherein is provided a filler opening I2 and a discharge opening I4. The conventional filler I6 is a continuation of filler opening l2 and the usual cap [8 is in screw fitted engagement with neck IS.

A specially formed partition 20 divides the com tainer into a reservoir 22 and a measuring compartment 24. Measuring compartment 24 is of a size to contain exactly a predetermined volume of liquid, and in practice it has been found desirable to have compartment 24 contain 1 quart of liquid.

Partition 20 has an opening 26 formed therethrough adjacent to one of the sides 8 and a discharge tube 30 establishes communication between measuring compartment 24 and discharge opening M. This discharge tube has a vent duct 32 therein, extending longitudinally thereof so that air may be supplied to compartment 24 as it is being emptied. One end of discharge tube 30 terminates in neck 34 which is an extension of discharge opening 14, and when the container is not in use, cap 36 is screwed in place by the conventional screw threads 38 formed on cap 36 and neck 34.

A valve is provided in partition 20 to establish communication between reservoir 22 and measuring compartment 24 when the valve is open. This valve is specially formed and may be as illustrated.

Opening 40 formed through partition 20 may be opened and closed by valve head 42 screwed to one end of valve stem 44 which extends upwardly through top ID of container 4. Valve head 42 should be tapered and formed of some resilient material, such as hard rubber so that a sealing relation is definitely established between the outer annular periphery of valve head 42 and the annular edge of partition 20, which is presented when hole 40 is formed therein.

The outer end of valve stem 44 has a shoulder 46 thereon that rides over cam face 48 carried by top ID. A knob or handle 5!! which may be readily grasped, is on the extended end of valve stem 44, and as rotary motion is imparted to this valve stem, it will be moved longitudinally to draw valve head 42 toward and from a seated condition.

The normal gripping force established between valve head 42 and adjacent edge of partition 28, will hold head 42 against movement until a small amount of torque is set up in valve stem 54, and then when this gripping force is overcome, valve head 42 will quickly move to the open position. When this valve is open liquid from reservoir 22 will pass into measuring compartment 24 until it is filled; thereafter, the valve is closed and when a quart of liquid is needed, the same may be poured from compartment 24 through discharge tube 3!].

Partition iii! in actual practice, should be the bottom of reservoir 22 and measuring compartment 24 should be created by moving on to the upper part of container 4, the tray-like bottom, which is shown in Fig. 1. This tray-like lower portion may be soldered directly to the upper portion and thereby make it possible to construct measuring containers having various capacities by merely changing the bottom portion of the upper reservoir but the container, valve, discharge tube, and other members, remain the same.

Partition 28 has a depressed portion 52 that extends into measuring compartment 2%. This depressed portion forms a well 54 at the bottom of which is formed opening 59. The remaining part of partition 25 which surrounds Well 54, is inclined so that all liquid in reservoir 2 2 will flow by gravity into well 54 when bottom 5 of the container is in a horizontal plane.

Another depressed portion 565 formed in partition 25 extends into reservoir 22, and another well 53 is thereby created. Hole 26 is at the bottom of this last mentioned Well 58 and when liquid is being emptied from compartment 24, the presence of well 58 insures that no appreciable amount of liquid can remain therein.

It is obvious to one skilled in the art that a measuring container for liquids having physical characteristics other than those illustrated and described, might be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A device of the character described comprising a container having a filler opening and a discharge opening provided therein; a partition within the container setting off a measuring compartment therein; a valve in the partition establishing communication between the said compartment and remaining portion of said con tainer; means for opening and closing the valve,

extending to a point exteriorly of the container; and a discharge tube establishing communication between the measuring compartment and said discharge opening, said partition being normally in a substantially horizontal plane and having a well formed therein, the valve being at the bottom of said well, the portion of said partition around said well being inclined toward the latter for the purpose specified.

2. A device of the character described comprising a container having a filler opening and a discharge opening provided therein; a partition within the container and dividing the same into a reservoir and a measuring compartment; a valve in the partition establishing communication between the reservoir and said compartment when open; a discharge tube establishing communication between the measuring compartment and said discharge opening; and means for opening and closing the valve extending to a point exteriorly of the container, said partition having a portion thereof depressed into said measuring compartment to form a well, said valve being at the bottom of said well, said partition having another portion thereof depressed into the said reservoir to form another well, said discharge tube terminating at the bottom of the last mentioned well.

3. A device of the character described comprising a container having a filler opening and a discharge opening provided therein; a partition within the container and dividing the same into a reservoir and a measuring compartment; a valve in the partition establishing communication between the reservoir and said compartment when open; and means for opening and closing the valve, extending to a point exteriorly of the container, said means comprising a valve stem having a shoulder formed thereon, and a cam face on the container for engaging the said shoulder, said shoulder and cam face being disposed to cause longitudinal movement of the valve stem as the same is rotated.

4. A device of the character described comprising a container having a filler opening and a discharge opening provided in one wall thereof; a transverse partition, having a pair of ports formed therethrough, dividing the container into a storage reservoir and a measuring compart ment; a valve head for closing one of the ports; manually operable means in connection with the valve head for moving the latter to and from a position where it closes the said one port; a tube in communication with the other port and the discharge opening; and a vent duct within the tube and longitudinally coextensive therewith for supplying air to the measuring compartment as liquid is discharged through the said tube from the measuring compartment.

FRED R. WALROD. 

